Letters From Alcatraz - Michael Esslinger [36]
A view from the D Block entrance, looking down “Seedy Street” towards “Park Ave.”
Park Avenue. This was considered by inmates as the best cell location, because of its warmth and sunlight.
Inmates considered this group of cells to be the best living area in the entire prison. The cells were considerably warmer, as they received some direct sunlight and when no one was at work in the library, they had limited privacy. The cellhouse plumbing system piped in saltwater from the San Francisco Bay for the flushing of cell toilets. It was said to have permeated the cells with a foul smell that the inmates hated, and this would be the origin of Warden Johnston’s nickname, “Saltwater Johnston.”
There were several tests performed on the new “tool-proof” bar structures. The new round-style bars were forged from a layered composite material, and they replaced the older flat-style bars. In tests, prison personnel utilized several hacksaw types that could be found within the prison industries. Their studies showed that sawing through the soft steel exterior of the cell bars was seemingly easy, but once the blade struck the hardened core section made from carbon steel, it could progress no further, and would quickly dull. There were other tests utilizing abrasives and piano wire and these had limited success in making significant cuts into the bar, but all failed to saw completely through. The Stewart Iron Works Company completed the remodeling of the cellhouse structure and locking mechanisms in late July of 1934, and also facilitated the training all of the prison personnel.
On average, inmates were required to spend sixteen hours per day confined in their cells. Those who had no work assignment would spend twenty-three hours a day in lockdown.
John Paul Chase, the partner of Baby Face Nelson, was convicted for the murder of an FBI Agent, and was an avid artist during his tenure at Alcatraz.
Guard Towers
An armed officer standing on the exterior walk of the Road Tower. Visible in the distance is the Model Shop Tower.
Two exterior views of armed officers standing on the catwalk of the Road Tower. Guard Tower Officers stood ready to fire upon any inmate who attempted to escape, or any vessel that breached the 200-yard perimeter.
The guard towers were considered one of the worst post assignments by correctional officers. The towers were typically cold and boring during the long shifts and activities such as reading or listening to a radio were prohibited.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons built six guard towers which were manned by armed officers carrying high-powered rifles and machine guns.
The Dock Tower.
The prison had six watchtowers that were constructed as tactical lookouts. The Dock Tower was located at the north end of the dock area. The officer assigned to this post would watch for any vessels that failed to maintain a minimum 200-yard distance, and he would also be the keeper of the keys to the prison launch. The Main Tower was originally located on the northeast roof area of the main cellhouse. It was manned twenty-four hours a day during its seventeen years of operation, and was ultimately removed in 1951. Had it been left in place, this tower would likely have prevented the famous Morris and Anglin brothers’ escape in 1962. In the early years of the prison there was also a Powerhouse Tower located at the northeast end of the island, adjacent to the powerhouse. It was eventually abandoned when the Dock Tower was rebuilt to a higher elevation. The Model Tower was located on the rooftop of the Model Industries Building and was staffed only during daylight / work hours. The Hill Tower was located between the main prison yard and the prison industries and there was a long catwalk that ran from the recreation yard wall to the Model Shop Building. The tower was positioned to allow the officer on-duty to provide assistance to officers posted at these locations. The Road Tower was accessed by a catwalk leading from the prison yard catwalk and was isolated by a barbed wire cyclone